Nearly 600 jobs could go under controversial plans

Michael Broomhead

Proposed multi-million pound cuts to a pot of cash which helps support vulnerable people could lead to almost 600 job losses, Derbyshire County Council (DCC) has confirmed.

Earlier this week, the authority announced a raft of cost-cutting plans – including slashing £9m from its housing-related support (HRS) budget.

If the HRS budget is reduced, DCC would no longer require the services of a number of external providers, resulting in 60 job losses from within its own adult care department and 527 from those outside organisations.

These include groups like the Ripley-based Amber Trust which helps vulnerable people live safely and independently in their own home.

Council documents state: “The proposed changes may lead to reduced support for vulnerable adults.”

The cash-strapped Labour-led authority needs to save £157m by 2018 as a result of Government cuts.

DCC leader Cllr Western said: “We really don’t want to make these devastating cuts – we don’t relish this at all.

“We’re facing massive financial pressures like never before and that means we’ve got some difficult decisions to make.

“We don’t want to cut any services but we have no choice.”

The plans will be considered by councillors next Tuesday and will be subject to public consultation.